Ego Death feat. Steve VaiPolyphia

Polyphia – Ego Death feat. Steve Vai (Official Music Video)

It’s no exaggeration to say they’re one of the most talked-about instrumental bands of the 2020s.

Formed in Texas in 2010 around new-generation guitar heroes Tim Henson and Scott LePage, Polyphia are a four-piece boasting hybrid, progressive sounds showcased through exceptional technique—and striking looks that give them undeniable star power.

Their debut album, Muse, arrived in 2014 and became a hot topic among fans of technical instrumental bands in the progressive metal sphere.

In 2016, they released their second album, Renaissance, which also marked their Japan debut.

The following year, they made their long-awaited first visit to Japan, drawing attention for featuring the then-12-year-old prodigy guitarist Li-sa-X as the opening act.

In 2020, they guested on BABYMETAL’s album Brand New Day, steadily expanding their fan base in Japan beyond hardcore music aficionados.

Their fourth album, Remember That You Will Die, released in October 2022, features multiple vocalists in addition to their trademark instrumental sound, showcasing a refined, distinctly Polyphia style that transcends metal and prog genres and elevates the band to the next level.

It reached No.

33 on the Billboard 200, marking commercial success, and there’s little doubt their remarkable momentum will continue.

WaterslideCHON

CHON – Waterslide (Official Music Video)

Chon, the progressive rock/math rock band from California, announced the unfortunate news that they would be going on hiatus in 2022.

Their band name supposedly comes from the initials of the four elements that make up the human body, a half-joking decision made while they were practicing their instruments with a science program playing in the background.

It makes sense that Chon started with that lighthearted vibe, considering the members were only in their early to mid-teens at the time.

But once you actually hear their music, many will be stunned.

Their intensely powerful band ensemble—built on intricately structured song progressions and explosive performances by members with outstanding technique—is nothing short of breathtaking.

They incorporate plenty of rhythmic ideas like polyrhythms and odd time signatures, which might make some people think the music is difficult and unapproachable.

However, their remarkable sensibility lies in how they sublimate it all into songs that are genuinely easy to listen to.

They’ve played in Japan multiple times, including at major festivals like Fuji Rock, and have a strong fanbase here as well.

They’ve released three albums, all of which are well worth checking out, but if I had to pick just one, it would be their second album, Homey (2017), where they significantly broadened their musical range.

It’s a gem that showcases Chon’s unique flair, featuring guest vocals from Masego—a saxophonist and singer-songwriter who dubs his own style “trap house jazz.”

Tokyo DiskoYĪN YĪN

YĪN YĪN – Tokyo Disko

Operating out of Maastricht in the Netherlands, indie band Yin Yin captivates listeners around the world with an original sound that brilliantly fuses Southeast Asian music and psychedelic funk.

Formed in 2017, they shot to prominence with their 2019 debut album, The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers.

Their music embraces a broad palette, from Thai psychedelic rock and disco to city pop.

Their DIY ethos—starting recordings by converting an abandoned ballet school in the Dutch countryside into a studio—has won the hearts of music fans.

Their distinctive groove, driven by vintage synthesizers and the traditional Chinese zither, the guzheng, has earned high praise as dance music and has been well received at festivals across Europe.

It’s a band highly recommended for music lovers seeking fresh excitement in a global sound.

The MessageOMA

OMA – The Message (Nas Cover Live in Liverpool)

OMA is a four-piece instrumental hip-hop band based in Manchester, UK, gaining attention for their fresh reinterpretations of classic hip-hop.

Featuring guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums, they craft a hybrid sound that weaves in elements of R&B and electronica.

They released their debut single in 2022, and in 2023 earned high praise with the album “Bread ‘n’ Butter,” which covers timeless hip-hop tracks.

Their social media presence is strong, and they’ve earned the trust of top-tier artists—serving, for example, as the tour band for Isaiah Rashad of TDE.

Their live shows also showcase a deep connection with the Japanese music scene, including covers of beloved tracks by Nujabes.

If you’re interested in new possibilities within hip-hop or want to experience the power of live instrumentation, this is the band for you.

AresCovet

Covet – Ares [Official Music Video]

Are you familiar with a music genre called math rock? Its origins are debated, so I won’t go into them here, but while it maintains close ties with genres like post-rock and post-hardcore, its sound—featuring complex rhythmic patterns, intricate guitar phrases, and even elements like dissonance and noise—has inspired many artists.

The genre is influential enough that some Japanese bands have used math rock methodologies to break into the mainstream.

Math rock itself comes in various styles, and the American trio Covet, introduced in this article, is centered around the technically skilled and distinctive guitarist Yvette Young, a woman who masterfully employs a technique commonly known as tapping.

Yvette originally performed as a solo artist before assembling the current members to form a band, and in 2011 they even realized a Japan tour with Polyphia.

Their 2020 album Technicolor features songs incorporating Yvette’s melodic vocals, but at its core, Covet’s sound is instrumental math rock with a progressive edge, driven by a band ensemble underpinned by the trio’s advanced musicianship.

Even so, it isn’t difficult to get into—the music is elevated into something very approachable, and that’s the key point.

If you’re interested in math rock but feel it might be too intimidating, give Covet’s work a listen!

Retreat! Retreat!65daysofstatic

65daysofstatic – Retreat! Retreat!

Formed in Sheffield, UK, in 2001, 65daysofstatic are a band known for their distinctive blend of post-rock and electronic sounds.

Characterized by heavy, progressive guitar work and beat-making driven by programming, they earned high acclaim with their 2004 debut album, The Fall of Math.

They went on to release numerous acclaimed records, including One Time for All Time, and in 2016 they scored the video game No Man’s Sky.

They explored an innovative approach in which the music changes according to in-game situations, creating experimental soundscapes.

Their fusion of dense instrumentals and electro-acoustic elements is sure to captivate anyone interested in post-rock or electronic music.

Your Hand In MineExplosions in the sky

Explosions In The Sky- Your Hand In Mine

Within the post-rock genre, it has become a firmly established style to use an instrumental format to deftly navigate between quiet and loud, employing band ensembles driven by roaring guitars to craft dramatic song developments.

Of course, pioneers like Mogwai come to mind, and as you dig deeper into the genre you’ll find many bands whose thunderous post-rock showcases distinct personalities.

Among them, Explosions in the Sky—the band introduced in this piece—are especially renowned.

Formed in 1999 in Texas, this four-piece uses a classic rock-band setup of guitars, bass, and drums, yet their tightly woven ensemble work and masterful compositional sense produce strikingly original music that has earned high praise.

With a career spanning over 20 years, their sound has influenced countless bands and artists.

They’re also known for electrifying live performances; in Japan, too, they’ve delivered unforgettable shows both on their own and on major stages like Fuji Rock.

If you enjoy their recordings, be sure to catch them live!